Why Is Illinois Called The Prairie State? You Asked, We Answered!
Have you ever wondered: why is Illinois called the Prairie State? There’s a fascinating reason! Get the scoop on Illinois’ prairie past. 🌾 #Illinois #PrairieState #IllinoisHistory
Springfield, IL – Welcome back to our “You Asked, We Answered!” series, where we tackle the most frequently asked questions from our curious readers. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a first-time adventurer, we’ve got you covered with insider knowledge and expert advice. So, sit back, relax, and let us satisfy your wanderlust as we answer your burning travel questions about the Midwest!
Illinois is called the Land of Lincoln and the Prairie State. And folks want to know why! In fact, this is one of the most asked questions we’ve received. We also get asked why Illinois is called Illinois. LOL. So, are you ready to learn why Illinois is known as the Prairie State? Buckle up and let’s take a trip through history!
Endless Seas of Grass
Long before Illinois was settled, vast stretches of tallgrass prairie covered the landscape as far as the eye could see. Early explorers were blown away by these “oceans” of swaying grasses and colorful wildflowers. One explorer in 1671 gushed that “no better soil can be found” than the rich, fertile earth of the Illinois prairies.
Perfect for Farming…and Pesky Bugs!
Settlers quickly realized that prairie soil was a farmer’s dream come true. You could practically start planting crops the day you arrived – no need to spend years chopping down forests first. The only downside? Swarms of biting insects also loved the prairies. Ouch!
Plowing Up a Storm
At first, cutting through the thick prairie sod to plow fields was seriously hard work. Picture teams of oxen straining to drag 14-foot-long plows! Things got easier in the late 1830s when a clever blacksmith named John Deere invented a steel plow that sliced through the sticky soil like a hot knife through butter.
My favorite useless John Deere fact is that Deere, who was born in 1804 in Vermont, married a woman named Demarius Lamb in 1827. I guess you could say a deer married a lamb! Hehe. The cute couple would go on to have nine children. By the way, if that made you chuckle, you really need to spend some time checking out these jokes and funnies.
Prairies Tamed for Towns and Trains
By 1900, most of Illinois’ prairies had been transformed into farms, towns and cities. Today, only teensy fragments of original, untouched prairie remain – a mere 0.01% of what once existed! Most surviving prairies are itty-bitty, under 10 acres.
Visit a Vanishing Wonderland
Want to experience Illinois’ prairie past? You’re in luck! Places like Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and Nachusa Grasslands preserve scenic swaths of waving grasses and eye-popping flowers. Stroll the trails and watch for deer, hawks and colorful butterflies – it’s a little slice of the Illinois that wowed the first explorers centuries ago.
There you have it – the story of how Illinois’ endless prairies earned it the nickname the Prairie State! Pretty neat, huh? Happy travels!
🗣 Have you visited the Prairie State? Have a question you’d like us to answer? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
